Hello out there,

I am the new guy on this site. I have been researching and designing for about 3 years now (on this project alone). I am attempting to build a 1/9th scale F-111 scale jet. I have over 3000 hours in design and 500 in proto-typing behind me on this. I need to find out what the best tricks are for doing scale split fowler flaps are for a 60 pound jet. Are there any sources for tiny rollers / tracks/ jack screws, etc? Thanks and hope to hear something useful real soon.

L Wolfe

Welcome to RCU. And what a project to come in the door with! ! ! !

But this sounds more like a components and structural detail issue than a truly aerodynamic one. It would be better off in either the Scale or Scratch Building forum. Pick one and I'll move it there.

I also suspect you'll need to fabricate most of the stuff yourself. But some parts can be had from suppliers. Plastic or metal spacers as used in electronics can be used as rollers. And then there is http://www.smallparts.com/ for a good selection of components and materials.

Bruce,

Thanks for the input. Yes, I should have done this in the scratch built forum, but being the new dumb guy, I was not aware of the option. I have searched the world over for tiny parts. Small Parts doesn't have the sizes I need in bolts and such (I need a source for 000-120 or smaller). As for the rollers, well I am in the process of making these. I was really just looking for good detailed information on the actual mechanism, or better yet, details of the F-111 flap / slat system. Of course, any help is good help. Thanks.

Les

There was a pretty spiffy Fowler design published in (I think) the July '86 issue of MA, where the model was a CL P-38 incorporating Fowler flaps.

AMA Plans Service can cough up a copy for a reasonable fee, and of course you might need to scale the plan up a bit.

If Small Parts doesn't have what you need, try [link=http://www.sdp-si.com/]Stock Drive Components[/link] or of course McMaster-Carr.

http://homepage.mac.com/mikejames/ne...ite/index.html
Has both fowler flaps and jackscrew help.
roger

Lawolfe
I am in the process of using the ideas off the http://homepage.mac.com/mikejames/ne...ite/index.html web site for my flaps on my 1/12th scale B1-B. Since I have already designed and made the jackscrew for the swing wing, it should be easy to incorporate the same idea into the flaps. I like the 400 size electric motors and all the various ratio gear boxes that are out there to accomplish what I need to do. I am currently waiting on universal joints to connect the gear box shafts to the threaded rods that will drive the flaps. Found the u-joints in a hobby shop under the boat supplies.

RH

RH,

Thanks for the info. Since I regestered here, I have received a lot of information on fowler flaps and such. I can say that after two years (plus) of research, there is even more stuff to be discovered. I have, however, hit every source that has come to me through this forum. I have an extensive design and machining capability, so it seems that the best thing for me to do is to just sit down and build my own jack screw mechanisms. I have been working on very small, but very high torque right angle gear boxes for swing wings, flaps, spoilers, slats, etc. My current project is not unlike yours (F-111) in its technical challenges. Thanks again and keep me posted on your advancements.

Les